If you have stories regarding Creative Patience or Filling the Well, we want to hear them. This journey can be a lonely one and we can use all the encouragement available. If you have a story to share, please contact me. We’d love to hear it.

Now, on to exploring a different concept: Documenting

This is one from my history and it’s a hard story to tell. A very wise person and the original reader of this blog, once gave me some very good advice about Creative Blocks.

If you can’t Create, Document.

It was, like most of this person’s advice, simple but cryptic.

I was seriously blocked. Maybe the worst in my life. This advice got me unstuck.

But.

What does it MEAN?

It’s actually very easy, but it can be VERY hard to start.

Documenting means putting down in words what’s happening around you. It can be the weather, your feelings, daily occurrences, habit tracking, or anything really. What you document is up to you.

The point is to keep a log (of anything) that proves you are moving through the world. Things are happening to you. You are surviving. You have not given up.

It starts with paying attention.

Write about what flowers are in bloom or what birds or insects are visiting them.

Write about what the sky looks like and what the colors remind you of in other parts of nature.

Write about what you had for breakfast lunch and dinner and how you acquired that food, who you ate it with, how it tasted, and how you felt after.

Write about anything.

You may be surprised to find some of these descriptors showing up later in your fiction or non-fiction writing when you are past your block. You never know what little tidbits of the journey are useful that you might otherwise have overlooked.

STRUGGLES & SUCCESSES

Fortunately, I haven’t been at this stage in a very long while, but I have been broken before.

I’ve counted hours, staring at the ceiling, thankful to be alive.

Not pleasant, but doable.

If you can count, gather, catalogue, list, track, or otherwise document your surroundings for 30 days, I bet it will change your writing game, and maybe your life.

Last week, I wrote about Artist Dates from The Artist’s Way. This week, I introduce Julia Cameron’s other tool: Morning Pages.

If you don’t know about Morning Pages, I’ll explain more in this week’s email, but suffice it to say they are longhand writing.

(If you’re not getting the email, let me know, or hop on over to linseyewing.com and sign up under the Get Access tab.)

There’s no better way to Document.

Start with a new journal, a new pen and a new attitude, or pick up a well-loved friend and pour your heart out.

Start now.

Remember, the “what” is up to you. The “why” is yours too. Here’s a “how” you can try, and if you don’t, well, don’t blame me. I’ve given you the “when” and now the “who” should be obvious.

Here’s another challenge: If even pen and paper feel too much for your poor heart, try a camera. Log your days with photos or videos. Collage or paint or make a pretty log book. Try something. See what happens.

If you like this series on Writer’s Block, would you Fill Out This Form? It’s all about Writer’s Block and would help us both tremendously.

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

TDG: Final Stages In Progress

ASD Draft 0: 15,401

Project Zero: 0

It’s Happening. The Daily Grind is underway.

Dreaming and Doing at the same time is not my ideal way to function, but it is A way to do things. I am currently finishing the final draft, planning the launch, writing the book description, negotiating the cover, and thinking about marketing all for TDG. Some of it feels too early. Some of it feels too late. All of it feels wrong. All of it feel exactly right.

I persevere.

You’ll notice a new project on the list. I plan to start it as soon as this is over. Maybe October. Stay tuned.

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Every Tuesday in August: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

Next on the Radar: Author’s Roundtable. TBA.

Authors Interviewed: 3

This is a fun little idea I had in February that is coming to fruition. We’re going to hear from a panel of authors about their passion projects, planning styles, processes, and publishing plans. Stay tuned for details. And as always, if you’d like to participate, please message me!

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey

If you have any stories regarding Creative Patience, I want to hear them. Any times your patience paid off, or waiting for the Muse brought an unexpected gift. I’d love to hear them and share them.

This week we’re diving into filling the Creative Well.

It looks a lot like Self Care, which you have heard me talk about ad nauseum, I am sure, but there’s nothing more important, especially for a creative, because we need nurturing, and frankly my dear, no one else is going to do it for you.

So how do we go about filling this seemingly endless need for creativity in our lives?

First of all…

We accept that there is no limit.

We don’t have to worry about using it up or using too much. That’s a scarcity mentality, and I am all too familiar with it. It’s looking at the world, not only glass-half-full, but as if there is a lack of liquid.

There’s not. It’s all out there for you to access. Endless creativity. Endless source.

We’ll talk practical steps in this week’s email. If you’re not getting that, let me know, or hop on over to linseyewing.com and sign up under the Get Access tab.

STRUGGLES & SUCCESSES

It’s been a struggle for me to find time to fill the well this month with all I’ve got going on. Between work and client meetings, friend and family events, and personal downtime, I’m stretched a bit thin. Still, I try to make a point every week to set aside time for an Artist Date. That’s not my term or my concept. It’s from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, which I highly recommend. An Artist Date is a “solo playful excursion” during which I endeavor to let go of the world and just play.

Lately, I’ve been doing a paint-by-number, which I purchased for around $10, so Artist’s Dates don’t have to be expensive or daunting, though you might find that one to be both. Find something this week that brings you joy and just try it. If you need permission, consider this it.

If you like this series on Writer’s Block, would you Fill Out This Form? It’s all about Writer’s Block and would help us both tremendously.

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

TDG FINAL DRAFT: In Progress

ASD Draft 0: 15,401

It’s Happening. The Final Draft of The Daily Grind is underway.

I’m dictating the final draft because my headache (which has been around for 31 days as of this writing) will not let me stare at a word processor long enough to get it done.

Is this an obstacle? Yes. Am I daunted? NO.

I’ve been in touch with the editor and the cover designer/formatter so everything should be on track for September at this point. I will let you know if that changes.

You should have a copy in your hands soon, though I do not yet have a release date. Believe me, you will be the first to know, and I will invite you to my launch party.

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Every Tuesday in August: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

Next on the Radar: Author’s Roundtable. TBA.

This is a fun little idea I had in February that is coming to fruition. We’re going to hear from a panel of authors about their passion projects, planning styles, processes, and publishing plans. Stay tuned for details. And as always, if you’d like to participate, please message me!

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey